Ambrus was granted a 5th year of eligibility for this fall (UAB sports photo)

1. You return this season after missing most of 2006 in cross country with an injury to your heel. How have you felt so far in your training and how does it feel to be out there with your teammates once again?

After the Great American cross-country race in 2006, I got a stress fracture in my left heel. That basically allowed me to do nothing but cross train for eight weeks. When that healed, I came back for track season, ran the entire indoor season as well as one outdoor 10K at Austin Peay, and then stress fractured my right heel. So once again, I was done for the remainder of the track season. My training this summer went pretty well. I never ran more than six days a week, and days that I didn’t run, I cross trained in the pool or on the elliptical. Something I’ve learned as a result of being injured is that just because you can run, doesn’t always mean you should. It feels great to be able to be with my teammates, and not have to stand as a spectator on the sidelines and watch them accomplish our goals without me.

2. Before you had to sit out the season in 2006, your last race was winning the Great American Festival 5K time of 18:18.80. How much are you looking forward to defending your title next month?

Our team unfortunately will not be returning to the Great American Festival because it has been changed to the same weekend as pre-nationals. I am however very excited about going to pre-nats and having the opportunity to compete against some tough competition.

3. Your next race will be the Notre Dame Invitational on September 28. At this point in the season, what are you looking to accomplish with the Conference USA Championships just over a month away?

My goal at every race is to improve and compete as well as I can on that day. I’m very excited about running at Notre Dame. It’s a fast race, and since I’m originally from that area, it gives me an opportunity to see family and friends. As for the conference meet, the Blazers had a very impressive showing last year without me, and I’m looking forward to being able to contribute this year.

4. As a 5th year senior, how are you trying to lead some of the newcomers on the team who look up to you for advice?

First of all, I’d like to say how proud I am of our freshmen this year. They’ve done a great job of making the transition from high school to college, and fit in so well with our team. If I had to pick once piece of advice to give to them it would be to never give up. Honor the commitment that you’ve chosen to make. Of course there will be bad days, and times when you’ll struggle, but in the end, it all comes down to sticking with it and trying to become the best that you can be.

5. You also excelled on the track by qualifying for the NCAA National Championship meet in both the 5,000 and 10,000 meters. How did you prepare to run and train so well after dealing with an injury during the cross country season?

I would say that my main accomplishment after fracturing my first heel was winning the C-USA indoor 5K, which was a surprise to me. It took a lot of cross training in my down time, which was not fun. I’m definitely a happier person when I’m running. That being said, if all goes well, I’m looking forward to hopefully making once last appearance at nationals this year.

6. The traditional challenges of a collegiate athlete are balancing the demands of training and study. Now that you are a seasoned veteran at both, has it become easier to take on all the challenges at once during the season?

The main thing I’ve learned is that you can’t fall behind. That goes for academics and running. It’s not always easy, and if you ever look in mine or any of my teammates travel bags at a meet, you’ll not only find the usual spikes, t-shirts, and running shorts, but books and homework too. Slip up for a day or two and not study, and it seems like you’re a world behind, stressed out, and overwhelmed to catch up.

7. What are some of your plans for after college? Will you still train and compete through the U.S. Olympic Trials?

Continuing with my running after college would be wonderful. I’m definitely more suited to the longer races, so it would probably be the 10K or longer. I love UAB and the atmosphere around Birmingham, so sticking around for awhile and training is always an option, but so is returning to areas like Chicago where I’m originally from, or Michigan where my family currently lives.

8. Who are some of the other runners and people that you look up to? What have you learned the most during your collegiate career?

I don’t really have any runners in particular that I look up to. It’s a tough sport and anyone who is able to hang in there and excel personally deserves huge kudos. What I’ve learned most during my collegiate career is NEVER take anything for granted. Don’t take being able to run for granted, don’t take your teammates for granted, and don’t take the opportunities given to you as a collegiate athlete for granted, because one day it may all be gone.

9. Considering the injuries that you've had to go through, do you look at it as another chance to showcase your talent on the track?

Yes, this is the last go-around for me, so I plan to give it all I’ve got while keeping the emphasis on staying healthy and able to run in the first place.

10. What would you consider the highlights of your running career so far?

I think I would say qualifying for nationals. In high school, we used to go watch the national championship in Terre Haute, and I never really knew if I’d get the chance to run there myself. Just as important though is the people and friends that I’ve met as a result of running.

11. What is your favorite time of the day to train?

The morning! I’m a huge morning person. This summer I worked at the YMCA as a day camp counselor and took summer school, so a lot of times I had to be running at 5:30. Although that’s really early for normal days, I enjoy running in the morning. It’s nice to get it done and feel good the rest of the day.

12. How do you like to spend your free time when you're not at practice?

I love to be outside and I always look forward to getting the opportunity to go home and visit the lake and ride our jetski. I guess you can say I’m a huge home-body, and I enjoy spending time with family and friends whenever I get the chance.

Related: Journals from 2006